It’s finally 2017 and I’m getting ready for another year of reading wonderful books. According to my Goodreads I only read a disappointing 43 books in 2016. I’m hoping to do better this year. Here are six books that I hope will get me back on track.

History is all you left me: Adam Silvera

When Griffin’s first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he’s been imagining for himself has gone far off course.

To make things worse, the only person who truly understands his heartache is Jackson. But no matter how much they open up to each other, Griffin’s downward spiral continues. He’s losing himself in his obsessive compulsions and destructive choices, and the secrets he’s been keeping are tearing him apart.

If Griffin is ever to rebuild his future, he must first confront his history, every last heartbreaking piece in the puzzle of his life.

Why it’s on the list

I’ve heard amazing things about Silvera’s work, and I’ve been meaning to pick up his first book More Happy Than Not for a while. I’ve heard that it’s incredible but heart breaking, and this one looks like it’s going to be similar. I also read very few books that aren’t part of a series and I want to try and change that in 2017.

Release date and where to buy

History is all you left me will be released on January 17th. You can buy it on Amazon.

Our Own Private Universe: Robin Talley

Fifteen-year-old Aki Hunter knows she’s bisexual, but up until now she’s only dated guys—and her best friend, Lori, is the only person she’s out to. When she and Lori set off on a four-week youth-group mission trip in a small Mexican town, it never crosses Aki’s mind that there might be anyone in the group she’d be interested in dating. But that all goes out the window when Aki meets Christa.

Why it’s on the list

I’m currently reading As I Descended and enjoying it, so I thought it would be nice to read another of Robin Talley’s books.

I’m really interested to see how the story plays out. A girl who knows she’s bisexual, but very few others do. She’s on a youth mission trip, so I imagine it’s going to look at bisexuality and religion, though I might be wrong. And there’s a romance. It sounds like it’s going to be really good, so a lot to look forward to.

Release date and where to buy

The Hate U Give: Angie Thomas

Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl’s struggle for justice.

Why it’s on the list

My sister, who works in a book shop, was lucky to receive an advanced copy of this book. “It’s amazing”, she said, and I knew I had to get a copy. There’s been a lot of talk about The Hate U Give on Twitter, and I’m thankful that all my followers seem to be equally as excited about its release as I am. Black people are being killed by the police. Black teenagers are being murdered. And we need books like this one.

Release date and where to buy

The Hate U Give will be released on February 28th and you can buy it on Amazon

Girl out of Water: Laura Silverman

Anise Sawyer plans to spend every minute of summer with her friends: surfing, chowing down on fish tacos drizzled with wasabi balsamic vinegar, and throwing bonfires that blaze until dawn. But when a serious car wreck leaves her aunt, a single mother of three, with two broken legs, it forces Anise to say goodbye for the first time to Santa Cruz, the waves, her friends, and even a kindling romance, and fly with her dad to Nebraska for the entire summer. Living in Nebraska isn’t easy. Anise spends her days caring for her three younger cousins in the childhood home of her runaway mom, a wild figure who’s been flickering in and out of her life since birth, appearing for weeks at a time and then disappearing again for months, or even years, without a word.

Complicating matters is Lincoln, a one-armed, charismatic skater who pushes Anise to trade her surfboard for a skateboard. As Anise draws closer to Lincoln and takes on the full burden and joy of her cousins, she loses touch with her friends back home – leading her to one terrifying question: will she turn out just like her mom and spend her life leaving behind the ones she loves

Why it’s on the list

I stumbled across this book and the description spoke to me. I love stories about people, especially teens, finding out more about themselves and who they want to be. Anyone who knows me will also know that I love books with romantic sub plots, so this sounds like an ideal read.

I’m really excited to see how the disability representation is handled in the book as well. Judging by the authors that seem to know her and are praising it I imagine that it will be pretty good. Disabled love interests are becoming more prominent in ya books but there still aren’t nearly enough, so this is a welcome change.

It may surprise people that I didn’t pick the book up because of its disability rep, I’d have most likely read it anyway, but it definitely makes me more excited about its release.

Release date and where to buy

Girl out of Water will be released on May 1st. As with all the books on the list, you can buy it on Amazon

Once and For All: Sarah Dessen

Louna, daughter of famed wedding planner Natalie Barrett, has seen every sort of wedding: on the beach, at historic mansions, in fancy hotels and clubs. Perhaps that’s why she’s cynical about happily-ever-after endings, especially since her own first love ended tragically. When Louna meets charming, happy-go-lucky serial dater Ambrose, she holds him at arm’s length. But Ambrose isn’t about to be discouraged, now that he’s met the one girl he really wants.

Why it’s on the list

After the release of Saint Anything I seriously wondered how long we’d all have to wait before Sarah Dessen wrote another book. She talked about taking a break, and I knew if she needed to do it then she should. And then came the announcement, book number thirteen was going to be published. I am a fan of Dessens work, I know that I will pick up her books and find a story of complex families and the love that brings all of us together. I hope Once and For All will be no different.

Release date and where to buy

Once and For All will be released on June 6th and you can buy a copy on Amazon

Coming up for Air: Miranda Kenneally

All of Maggie’s focus and free time is spent swimming. She’s not only striving to earn scholarships—she’s training to qualify for the Olympics. It helps that her best friend, Levi, is also on the team and cheers her on. But Levi’s already earned an Olympic try out, so she feels even more pressure to succeed. And it’s not until Maggie’s away on a college visit that she realizes how much of the “typical” high school experience she’s missed by being in the pool.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Maggie decides to squeeze the most out of her senior year. First up? Making out with a guy. And Levi could be the perfect candidate. After all, they already spend a lot of time together. But as Maggie slowly starts to uncover new feelings for Levi, how much is she willing to lose to win?

Why it’s on the list

I can’t believe we’re already on Hundred Oaks number eight. It doesn’t seem all that long ago since I first discovered Catching Jordan and fell in love with the series.

In reality it’s been four years. I no longer live and breathe sport like I did back then and my life has taken many unexpected turns. The series and all its familiar characters seem to be a constant. Every time I return to it with the release of a new book I feel like I’m being reunited with old friends.

It may sound like a cliche, or laughable to some people, but there is something so reassuring about this series for me.